Midterms begin with primaries in Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas

Election workers drop off ballots and other materials after the polls closed at the Mecklenburg County Board Of Elections offices on March Board Of Elections offices on March 3, 2026 in Charlotte, NC. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump, is vying with five other candidates to face former Gov. Roy Cooper in the general election.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) speaks with supporters during her Senate Primary election night party on March 3, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Crockett is running in the Texas primary, where voters will decide which Democratic and Republican candidates will face off this November in congressional races in the Senate and the House.

Texas Senate candidate James Talarico (D-TX) speaks to supporters at a campaign event on March 3, 2026 in Talarico's hometown of Round Rock, Texas. Texans went to the polls to vote for Democratic and Republican primary candidates ahead of November's midterm elections.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks to reporters on March 3, 2026, in Austin after the Republican primary election for his seat.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, running in the Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat, arrives at an election night watch party in Dallas on March 3, 2026. Neither Paxton nor U.S. Sen. John Cornyn reached the 50% threshold, so the two are heading to a runoff election on May 26.

Supporters of James Talarico arrive at the candidate's election night watch party at Emo's in Austin, Texas, on March 3, 2026. Talarico is running in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn.

An attendee checks the election results at a watch party for Republican Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on March 3, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Paxton is facing off against numerous candidates including incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary.

Votersfill in their ballots at Belville Elementary School on March 3, 2026, in Leland, N.C.

Liz Case, the candidate seeking the Republican nomination to run for state House District 71 representative, greets voters outside the Westminster Presbyterian Church voting location in Abilene Tuesday, March 3, 2026. In the background, Matt Smith, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the 19th Congressional District, speaks to voters as well.

Election officials assist voters in casting their ballot in the primary vote at Bruns Avenue Elementary School, Mecklenburg County Precinct 12, on March 3, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump, vies with five other candidates to face former Gov. Roy Cooper in the general election.

Voting and candidate signs marked the way to the polls on March 3, 2026, in Leland, North Carolina.

People walk by campaign signs near a polling location at West Gray Metropolitan Multi-Service Center on Election Day in Houston, Texas on March 3, 2026. Americans cast the first ballots of the primary season on Tuesday, kicking off a midterm cycle that could redraw the political map in Washington -- and shape how Donald Trump spends the remainder of his presidency. Texas anchors the opening slate, with voters in the second-largest state selecting their candidates in high-profile Senate primaries, offering an early test of how both parties position themselves for Trump's final two years.

Voting in Houston on March 3, 2026. Voting is underway in three states on Tuesday as the 2026 midterm election season officially kicks off across the country.

People line up to vote on Election Day at a polling location at West Gray Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston, Texas, on March 3, 2026. Americans cast the first ballots of the primary season on Tuesday, kicking off a midterm cycle that could redraw the political map in Washington -- and shape how Donald Trump spends the remainder of his presidency. Texas anchors the opening slate, with voters in the second-largest state selecting their candidates in high-profile Senate primaries, offering an early test of how both parties position themselves for Trump's final two years.

Voters pick up stickers at Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church, Mecklenburg County Precinct 11, after casting their ballot in the 2026 Primary Election on March 3, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. If former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who is endorsed by President Trump, wins the primary, he'll face former Governor Roy Cooper in the general election.

Election officials assist voters at Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church, Mecklenburg County Precinct 11, in casting their ballot in the 2026 Primary Election on March 3, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. If former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who is endorsed by President Trump, wins the primary, he'll face former Governor Roy Cooper in the general election.

US Senate Candidate Michael Whatley greets voters and campaign representatives outisde of a Caldwell County polling location at Grace Chapel Fire Department on March 3, 2026 in Granite Falls, North Carolina. If former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who is endorsed by President Trump, wins the primary, he'll face former Governor Roy Cooper in the general election.

Campaign signs surround âÓVote HereâÓ signs pointing to the Marty Robbins Recreation Center polling site during the 2026 Texas Primary Election on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in El Paso.

Election Day on March 3, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas.

A person sets out campaign signs at the Lauro Cavazos Middle School as polls open for Election Day the Texas and Lubbock County 2026 March primaries on March 3, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas.

Volunteers campaign for candidates outside the Tobin Sports Center polling site during the 2026 Texas Primary Election on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in El Paso.

A person exits a polling center after casting their vote on March 03, 2026 in Austin, Texas. Texas holds their primary elections including two hotly contested races for Democratic and Republican Senate nominations.